If you haven't heard, Dragon Age 2 is out and as our very own Super Swede discussed the game allows players unprecedented freedom to explore in-game sexuality; a sure sign of big gay progress. BioWare continues to be one of the few developers even trying to include sexuality in their games that extends beyond mere fanboy titillation. Except for Mass Effect, yes I'm still bitter. Relationship building, decision making, consequence dealing-with, and notions of orientation beyond simply straight and gay are all hallmarks of their work. But some very vocal people are a little put off by such freedom. Cruise by BioWare's forums sometime and see for yourself.

Thank your deity or lack of one for Adam Sessler, who weighs in on the issue and keeps it real.

While the editor-in-chief of video game content for G4 and co-host of X-Play may not be gushing over the BioWare release, he is gushing over the complete sense of freedom the game provides. Freedom which extends into the realm of sexuality.

Sometimes you think something is so obvious that stating it would be redundant, but in this case reminding gamers everywhere that playing a gay character doesn't make you gay or report you as such is much appreciated. Thanks Mr. Sessler for your redundancy and, as always, your pointedly accurate views on the gaming world.

9 Comments

I still think it's jarring that so many characters are apparently flippant about sexuality and you can just do whatever you want to them. It seems to fly in the face of good characterization that everybody is just up for whatever. It's wholly illogical and sounds like the only point to it is to allow people to bone whoever they want. It's pretty immature in my opinion, regardless of the fact you can bone gay dudes and ladies, and frankly does nothing to spark interest in an otherwise boiler plate fantasy slash action game.

Wait I don't get it. Why is this freedom such a point of contention? Why is it that other people having the options they want somehow diminishing to their game?

This makes no sense at all. I could romance the female characters but I'm not on the Bioware forums saying that they are disgustuing for offering a gay guy the option to romance female characters ect. I just didnt pick those options.

Bearfamily has it right. It just comes down to bigotry on behalf of the whiners. If you don't want to fuck someone, don't fuck them, but don't try to deny other people that ability. What good does that do?

I'm ambivalent about the bisexual romances. It's understandable to be annoyed since it removes all sense of individuality, intimacy, and "reality" from the game but this is only one stain in an otherwise above average game. Bioware tried to please everyone by adding more diversity in their game but fudged up. Also they have done something that hasn't been done ever, in my short life at least, and while not perfect it is good enough to reflect and admire. For now. I'm rather sure Bioware knows now that a "cast full of bi" isn't loved by everyone.

This game is really worthy. And since my mother language is not english, i'm not pretty sure if i hot bearfamily's point, but here it goes:
I played the game and it figures no harm to no one, really. But isn a little bit fake that all fucking heroes in the gayme (XDDDDDDD# world are straight? 10% worlds population os gay, so why not have a hero gay? i'm pretty tired os only seeing gay heroes in porn games, it is no fun at all. Despite of that, there is one more thing, and think this is bioware's catch: once, looon looon ago, when table RPG were still something people worshiped #here in brazil at least) a guy said that "Your RPG character is and do things u'd do if you were sure no one is looking". So what? If you want a really free moving game, that really makes the main character look like a real hero u gotta add some romance, and some sex as well. Besides that, if that catch is about "doing something nobody would know", well... i think many guys still don't know truly they are gay....

Why are people so upset about "a cast full of bi"? Honestly, it smacks of biphobia; in every game development process, even a Bioware one, there are limited resources, and strain credulity as it may (though I'd suggest you ask yourself why) it just makes the most sense. From what I've played so far, each romance is credible for both genders based on the character.

They did what made the most sense given their resources and for the purposes of being inclusive. Stop complaining.

Why are people so upset about "a cast full of bi"? Honestly, it smacks of biphobia; in every game development process, even a Bioware one, there are limited resources, and strain credulity as it may (though I'd suggest you ask yourself why) it just makes the most sense. From what I've played so far, each romance is credible for both genders based on the character.

They did what made the most sense given their resources and for the purposes of being inclusive. Stop complaining.

I think it is likely the most positive and inclusive move that can be made right now. It also broadens player choice rather than restrict it. This isn't real life where we can have a variety of diversity in terms of companion sexuality -- this is a game with a strict budget and limited amount of resources and content. For example, I'd rather have 2 bisexual romance options for my gay PC to choose from than to have 1 strictly gay character that I may really dislike (be it personality, morals, or horrible portrayal of a gay person).

Anyway, I love Adam's soapboxes. Especially the ones about diversity, inclusion, and bigotry within the industry and community. He'll always have my support.

GGP Mailing List

Are you gay and working in the games industry? If you are interested in networking with other folks like you within the industry, try joining the Gay Game-Industry Professionals mailing list.
Click here for all the details!